Projectile.



PATBNTED OCT. 6, 1903.

S. A. GROPP. PROJECTILE. APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 18,1903.

N0 MODEL.

lii'o. 740,849.

'llNrrnn Frames Patented October 6, 1903.

Parent rrrcn.

OF ONE-HALF TO DILTJER B. GEOFF,

COLUMBIA.

or WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF PROJECTlLE.

$PEGIFIGATION forming part of 'LettersrPatent No. 740,849, dated October 6, 1903.

Application filed Tune 1 8, 1903- Serial No. 162,035. (No model.)

It is well known that when a shell does not penetrate the object against which it is fired, as the armored side of a vessel, it falls away and the explosion of the shell does very little damage; but if the shell can be held against the armor-plate the explosion becomes much more destructive, and since a very slight entrance of the penetrator of my device will hold the shell against the plate a valuable result is attained in this respect also.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal view, partly in section. Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modification,. partly in section; Fig. 3, a fragmentary section of another modification of the front end of the penetrator. Fig. 4 is a plan of the end of a plain penetrator. Fig. 5. is a side of a cap to be used with the modification shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a side of a cap to be used with the modification shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 7 is a plan of the end of the modification shown in Fig. 3.

The various features of this device are referred to by letters, similar letters denoting corresponding parts in the several views.

The letter A indicates a cylindrical projectile made either solid or as a shell. It is adapted to acquire a rotary motion-by rifiing the cannon or in any preferred way.

B is a tubular extension on the front end of the projectile, made of hardened material and of equaldiameter with the projectile. It may be integral with the projectile or be made separately and attached to the projectile in any preferred manner. Its length shouldexceed the thickness of the armor-plate against which it is 'projected. This extension or penetrator B when it strikes the plate will 'by the force of the impact and its rapid rotation cut into or through the plate, taking out a core of the plate, and be followed in by the projectile, which, if a shell, should be timed to explode accordingly. When desired and according to circumstances, the front end of the penetrator is provided with a cutter, which may be of any desired form, but preferably a continuous annular blade I), as shown in Fig. 2, or a seriesof teeth I), as shown in Figs. 3 and 7. A convenient way to attach the penetrator to a projectile already made is to form a thread a on the front end of the projectile and an interior thread b on two together.

crushed, so as not to interfere with the progress of the penetrator when the impact is made. This cap is pointed and adapted to be secured to the front end of the penetrator, Its primary object is to protect the penetrator from the resistance which the air would offer to its movements, and it is also made to serve as a lubricator to the cutter, either by the material of the cap itself'or by a lubricant 0 within the cap. If the lubricant used is fluent, I provide a cover 0 to hold it in the cap. This cap or cone may be secured to the penetrator in any desired manner; but I prefer to into the front end of the penetrator. The cap is also made to conformto the shape of the cutter used on the penetrator and will have, therefore, either a beveled section 0 to engage the inside of the blade I) or teeth 0 to engage the teeth '1) on the penetrator.

Having now described the invention, what I claim is- 1. In combination with a projectile a tubular penetrator, a cutter thereon and means to secure said penetrator to said projectile.

2. In a projectile" a tubular extension on the front end of the projectile and a cutter on the front end of said extension. I

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' SAMUEL A. GEOFF.

Witnesses:

CHAS. DlETZ, J r., CHARLES FISCHER.

O is a capor cone of any soft metal, easily form on it a rear extension d to tightly fit the rear end of the penetrator and screw the 

